Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito
You could also ask them to meet you part way. If they make it for several hours on the highway, the tires and bearings should be good enough to get you home. That wouldn't assess the brakes, but you can be assured they are not adjusted, and adjusting them just requires lifting the wheel and then adjusting them with a screwdriver. A 15-min job per wheel.
Here's a list I made up recently....there's probably more to it, but this would cover alot. Hope it helps!
Dave
BEFORE OPENING: When you arrive, be sure the owner knows youre going to want to open the camper for a detailed inspection, both inside and out, that will involve testing everything, including every appliance.
Before you open it up:
o check the bag seal of the front shell to look for any rips/tears. If they're torn, check for rot on any wood that might be under the seals.
o Look over the roof on both shells to look for any bubbles in the sheet metal, which might indicate delamination (and a possible leak).
o Tongue jack Make sure the tongue jack works, including via manual mode if it is an electric jack.
o Underbelly Look underneath to make sure there is a spare tire, no obvious failure signs of the grey water tank, torsion bar damage, or damage in the floor. Also be sure the brakes are connected (2 wires should be coming out of those stupid wire nuts).
o Stabilizer jacks Make sure there are 4 of them!
AFTER OPENING: After it is setup, time to continue looking, to include:
o Walk around Take a slow walkaround outside with the shells up and beds/slide out, looking for anything other than minor scratches and dents.
o Range make all the burners light, and the oven. Be sure you know how to light the oven ahead of time, as it can be a little tricky.
o Furnace make sure the blower turns on as it should, it fires, and heat comes out.
o Refrigerator Have them prechill it the night before. Since it will probably be empty, it should feel fairly cool, but probably not ice cold, particularly if its hot outside. But the inside of the freezer should feel pretty cold, certainly below freezing.
o Toilet give the flush button a quick 1-second pulse just to make sure the motor spins up. Look for any cracks on the top of the toilet that supports the seat.
o Lights no need to go through them all, but check a few to make sure at least a few of them work.
o Fantastic fan Make sure it spins on all 3 speeds. The vent cover has to be open before it will turn on.
o Solar controller if it has a solar panel, check the solar controller output monitor to make sure the panel is actually producing power if its decently sunny.
o Awning have the owner run out the awning, checking for bent support arms, rips in the awning, and tears at the seams.
o Radio make sure something comes out of the speakers.
o Curtains make sure all the curtains that should be there are there (2 per window).
o Cabinets Look in all the cabinets, including the ones over the front bed and especially the ones under both the bathroom and kitchen sinks, looking for evidence of any leaks (inside or outside) or other damage.
o Mattresses Look under both mattresses for any signs of tears, mold, mildew, bugs, or rodents.
o Couches Look under any couches to inspect underneath for the same. Inspect both cushions on each couch. If it has a pull-out couch, be sure that work and there are no missing supports (like stripped screws, etc.)
Check to be sure all necessary accessories are included:
o Awning rafter (the middle support bar)
o Awning crank
o Stabilizer jack crank
o Keys to both the doorknob and deadbolt in the front door, and both exterior storage compartments.
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